Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation in respect of the People Services – Adults and Housing Transformation Programme.

The committee received a presentation with regard to the People Services – Adults and Housing Transformation Programme.  An updated version of the presentation was provided at the meeting which gave the latest basis for the transformation plan.  The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health gave an overview of the areas covered by the presentation.  She also noted that a technology room would be opening on 17 October 2019 and councillors were invited to an event to mark the opening on the lunchtime of this day.  A report with regard to the transformation plan would be provided to the People Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet in due course.

The committee considered the issues arising from the presentation and during discussion the following points were raised:

·                Reference was made to the Building Better Lives Programme and the need to link into Children’s Services and the council’s assets programme as well as looking at issues from an Adults’ Services perspective.  In addition it was noted that the methodology used for the scheme in Purbeck had been taken into account when looking at other areas and specific reference was made to mapping exercises that had been undertaken in respect of sites in Gillingham

·                Staffing issues in this area were discussed and particular reference was made to issues around the recruitment of social workers, the nomination of design champions from across the directorate to assist with designing the programme, the need to look at how people worked including flexible working and ways to grow the workforce including the use of apprenticeships

·                The use of assistive technology was discussed and issues around broadband and mobile coverage were being looked at

·                Reference was made to housing issues including the need for appropriate accommodation provision in order to retain younger people in the area.